Kat's Skyrizi journey

[Forest Walker]

It's very helpful for me to read about Kat's insurance information, especially that patient co-pay assistance for people using Medicare/Medicaid.  

I am crossing my fingers for you that you are accepted for their program to help people on Medicare.  It may just be an easy form-filling formality for their files.  I hope it goes quickly and that you can have this medication without selling the house for it.

[Kat]

It's very helpful for me to read about Kat's insurance information, especially that patient co-pay assistance for people using Medicare/Medicaid.  

I am crossing my fingers for you that you are accepted for their program to help people on Medicare.  It may just be an easy form-filling formality for their files.  I hope it goes quickly and that you can have this medication without selling the house for it.

Thanks Fred and yes, for Americans the insurance part is a big deal.

Forest, the application process so far has been quite simple. They gave me the information to log online to do the application. Most of the fields were already filled in (name, address, etc) and I really only had to fill in insurance information, a list of prescriptions I am taking and checking some privacy boxes, etc.

Oddly enough, no income questions. This is a new process for me so I don't know what comes next. The person I spoke with said they would get right on it so I guess I'll hear something soon.

I have a zoom appointment with the nurse tomorrow and will see if she has any information on what happens next.

[Kat]

I cancelled the zoom meeting as something came up and we're supposed to do that sometime next week.

I received a letter in the mail a couple of days ago saying I was approved under the AbbVie Patient Assistance program (NOT the savings card) and I don't know what that process is, as I mentioned the application form was simply verifiying information.  They are ready to ship.. BUT..

I have a call in to my doctor because I haven't ever got the shingles vaccine.  It's been on my to do list but I've procrastinated.  The problem is it's a live vaccine that requires 2 injections 2-6 months apart.  I talked to the nurse and another AbbVie representative who called me and they said I could go ahead with shipment as the shelf life shouldn't be an issue if I wait until February to start. Or I could wait and have it shipped a bit closer to injection time. I'm approved through December of 2024 so waiting isn't an issue with their Assistance Program.  I told them I would notify them when it's close to time to inject (they recommend giving them 2 weeks between notifying them and receiving the first shipment) 

I will give my doctor a few days next week to get back with me.  I think she will say it's up to me so I won't wait too long for her to return my call. Once I start the Skyrizi from what I understand, I would have to delay getting the shingles vaccine and not get the live vaccine but another one.... I'm not certain how that works so I'd rather the doctor get involved and advise me.

The important thing is my approval went through!  I am really impressed with AbbVie customer service and support.

[Fred]

Glad you got approval Kat.

Yes you shouldn't have live vaccines whilst on bio's.

Why are you having the shingles vaccine ?

[Forest Walker]

That's good news, Kat.  I'm happy for you. 

Have you ever had shingles?

[Kat]

Glad you got approval Kat. 

Yes you shouldn't have live vaccines whilst on bio's.

Why are you having the shingles vaccine ?

Well it's recommended here for people over 50 (I procrastinated a LONG time ) but Mr Kat and I had just not worried about it. But since hitting 60 the doctor has pushed a bit harder for it. I didn't want 2 vaccines at the same time this year so I prioritized the Flu, RSV and covid vaccines. Went to get the shingles and told the pharmacist I was hoping to start Skyrizi and he told me to contact my doctor before proceeding so that's what I did ( perhaps a couple of weeks later ) It's just another one of those precautionary things for old folks.

So it just seems like if I'm going to get the vaccine, now would be the time before starting back on biologics.

[Kat]

That's good news, Kat.  I'm happy for you. 

Have you ever had shingles?

No, Actually my mother told me I had never had chicken pox that I had only had the 3 day measles (Rubella). I remember having the itchy rash around 7 years old. Whem my kids had chicken pox I thought for sure I'd get them, and didn't. But the doctor did a blood test about 2 years ago and it came back showing I had indeed had the chicken pox at some point in my life.

I haven't had shingles and hopefully never will, I hear it can be difficult on the older folks.

[Fred]

Thank you Kat, I've never been offered it. I did get chicken pox in my 30s that wasn't very nice, I don't know if it make me immune from shingle or not.

[Kat]

Thank you Kat, I've never been offered it. I did get chicken pox in my 30s that wasn't very nice, I don't know if it make me immune from shingle or not.

Yes, actually you don't get shingles if you have NOT had chickenpox (if I understand correctly).  It's one of the reasons I never got the vaccine as I didn't think I ever had chickenpox but my primary doctor said it's odd for adults not to have had it so did a blood test and seems that I did indeed have chickenpox.  After that the virus lives inside your body.  Also, you can get shingles more than once.

[Fred]

Thank you Kat, I've never been offered it. I did get chicken pox in my 30s that wasn't very nice, I don't know if it make me immune from shingle or not.

Yes, actually you don't get shingles if you have NOT had chickenpox (if I understand correctly).  It's one of the reasons I never got the vaccine as I didn't think I ever had chickenpox but my primary doctor said it's odd for adults not to have had it so did a blood test and seems that I did indeed have chickenpox.  After that the virus lives inside your body.  Also, you can get shingles more than once.

Don't want to take your thread off topic but that is very interesting. I was going to visit friends one day and they asked if I'd had chicken pox as their children had it, I phoned my Mum and she said yes you will be fine as you had it as a baby.

However a few days after visiting my friends I was covered and to cut a long story short I went to see my doctor and he confirmed it was chicken pox, but although my records showed I had it as a baby my immune system hadn't built up enough immunity.

Nope I'm still none the wiser are you saying I could still get shingles. ?

*Again sorry, I will split posts in this thread if you wish.